Patient/caregiver was educated on the precautions to be observed while taking oxybutynin as follows:
- Maintain strict compliance with intake of the medication as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication.
- Do not change the dose on this medication without consulting your doctor.
- Avoid drinking alcohol with oxybutynin. Alcohol can act as a bladder irritant and intake of alcohol can result in urge for urination and increased frequency, thus compromising the therapeutic benefit of oxybutynin intake. Also, alcohol intake can lead to dizziness and confusion, thus adding further to the same side-effects oxybutynin intake can cause.
- Avoid drinking excessive caffeinated drinks and soft drinks rich in sugar with oxybutynin, as they can act as bladder irritants and significantly increase the urge for urination, thus compromising the therapeutic benefit of oxybutynin intake.
- Oxybutynin is very thoroughly metabolized in the liver, with some inactive metabolites excreted in the urine. If liver function is deficient, metabolism and oxybutynin could be slowed down, leading to compromised therapeutic benefit, increased risk for side-effects and toxicity with the medication. Observe compliance with any regular labs ordered for evaluation of liver function.
